Stateville Correctional Center is a maximum security prison located in Crest Hill, Illinois. The facility houses over 1,200 male inmates. The prison’s mission is to provide a safe and secure environment for both inmates and staff while also promoting rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
The prison offers a variety of programs and services to help inmates prepare for life after release. These include education and vocational training programs, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.
In addition, the prison has a robust visiting program that allows family and friends to visit inmates on a regular basis. The prison also has a number of volunteer opportunities for community members who want to get involved in helping inmates.
Despite its efforts to promote rehabilitation, Stateville has faced criticism over the years for its harsh conditions and overcrowding. In 2016, the prison made headlines when it was revealed that inmates had been subjected to extreme heat during a summer heat wave, leading to multiple deaths. The incident sparked a national conversation about prison conditions and the need for reform.
| Security | Maximum |
| Capacity | 1,252 |
| Physical Address | 16830 IL-53, Crest Hill, IL 60403 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 112 Joliet, IL 60434 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Every day: 8:00 am – 10:30 am, 10:45 am – 1:15 pm, 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm, 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (815) 727-3607 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History
Stateville Correctional Center is a maximum-security prison located in Joliet, Illinois. The facility was opened in 1925 and has since undergone several renovations and expansions. The prison was designed to implement the Panopticon concept, which was developed by British philosopher Jeremy Bentham in the late 18th century.
Construction and Design
Stateville Correctional Center was designed by architects Holabird and Root, who were known for their innovative designs for public buildings. The prison was built using a radial design, with an armed tower in the center and cell blocks radiating outwards. The prison was designed to house 1,252 inmates, with each cell measuring 5 feet by 7 feet.
The prison was also designed to implement the Panopticon concept, which was a revolutionary idea at the time. We explore the specifics of the concept in the next subsection.
Panopticon Concept
The Panopticon concept was developed by Jeremy Bentham in the late 18th century. The idea behind the concept was to create a prison that was efficient, cost-effective, and humane. The Panopticon design involved placing the guard tower in the center of the prison, with the cells arranged in a circular pattern around it. This design allowed the guards to observe the inmates at all times, while the inmates could not see the guards.
Stateville Correctional Center was one of the first prisons in the United States to implement the Panopticon concept. The design was intended to create a more efficient and cost-effective prison system, while also providing a more humane environment for the inmates. However, the design also had its drawbacks. The open area in the center of the prison made it difficult for guards to control the inmates, and the tiers of cells made it difficult for inmates to communicate with each other.
Overall, the history of Stateville Correctional Center is a complex one, with many different factors and influences shaping its development over the years. The prison has undergone several renovations and expansions since it was first built, and it continues to be an important part of the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Facilities
Stateville Correctional Center is located in Crest Hill, Illinois. The facility is designed to house adult male offenders who have been convicted of serious crimes. Stateville Correctional Center has a capacity of 1,252 inmates and is divided into several housing units.
Security Level
Stateville Correctional Center is a maximum-security prison. The facility is surrounded by a 33-foot wall and has guard towers located throughout the perimeter. The security level of the prison is very high, and all inmates are closely monitored by correctional officers.
Northern Reception and Classification Center
Stateville Correctional Center also houses the Northern Reception and Classification Center (NRCC). The NRCC is responsible for processing all incoming inmates to the Illinois Department of Corrections. The center conducts assessments to determine the appropriate security level and housing unit for each inmate.
Health Care Unit
Stateville Correctional Center has a Health Care Unit that provides medical and dental services to inmates. The unit is staffed by medical professionals and is equipped to handle a wide range of medical issues.
Infirmary
Stateville Correctional Center also has an infirmary that provides medical care to inmates who require hospitalization or specialized medical treatment. The infirmary is staffed by medical professionals and is equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.
Visitation
Stateville Correctional Center allows visitors to visit inmates during designated visitation hours. Visitation is an important part of an inmate’s rehabilitation process, and the facility encourages inmates to maintain contact with their families and loved ones. Visitors must follow strict rules and regulations when visiting the facility, including dress codes and identification requirements.
Visitation hours are every day: 8:00 am – 10:30 am, 10:45 am – 1:15 pm, 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm, 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm
In conclusion, Stateville Correctional Center is a high-security prison that provides a range of facilities and services to its inmates. The facility is designed to promote safety and security while also providing inmates with access to medical care, visitation, and other important services.
Inmate Programs
Stateville Correctional Center offers a variety of inmate programs to encourage positive attitudes and promote opportunities for personal and professional growth. These programs are designed to help individuals in custody develop the skills and knowledge they need to successfully reintegrate into their communities upon release.
Educational Programs
The Illinois Department of Corrections provides a range of academic and vocational education programs to inmates at Stateville Correctional Center. These programs include basic adult education, GED preparation, and vocational skills training in areas such as carpentry, welding, and computer technology.
Vocational Skills
Stateville Correctional Center offers vocational skills training programs that help inmates develop the skills they need to succeed in the workforce upon release. These programs include training in areas such as auto mechanics, culinary arts, and horticulture.
Adult Basic Education
Adult Basic Education programs at Stateville Correctional Center provide inmates with the opportunity to improve their reading, writing, and math skills. These programs are designed to help inmates prepare for the GED exam and improve their chances of success upon release.
Volunteer Services
Volunteer services at Stateville Correctional Center provide inmates with opportunities to give back to their communities through service projects and other volunteer programs. These programs help inmates develop positive attitudes and foster a sense of community and responsibility.
Creative Art
Creative art programs at Stateville Correctional Center provide inmates with an outlet for self-expression and creativity. These programs include opportunities for inmates to participate in visual arts, music, and writing.
Choir
The choir program at Stateville Correctional Center provides inmates with the opportunity to participate in a musical group. The choir performs at various events throughout the year and helps inmates develop teamwork and leadership skills.
Bible Studies
Religious programs at Stateville Correctional Center provide inmates with the opportunity to participate in Bible studies and other religious activities. These programs help inmates develop a sense of spirituality and community.
Library
The library at Stateville Correctional Center provides inmates with access to a wide range of reading materials, including books, magazines, and newspapers. Inmates can also participate in various reading and writing programs to improve their literacy skills.
Overall, Stateville Correctional Center’s inmate programs provide individuals in custody with a range of opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge, and positive attitudes. These programs help inmates prepare for successful reintegration into their communities upon release.
Custody Levels
Stateville Correctional Center employs a classification system that places individuals in custody in specific levels, 1-5, based only on the individuals’ actions inside the department within the last three years. The system utilizes data from the Offender 360 system, which tracks an inmate’s behavior, including disciplinary actions, program participation, and other factors. The custody level determines the housing unit, job assignment, and program opportunities available to the inmate.
Maximum-Security
The maximum-security unit at Stateville Correctional Center is designed to house inmates who present a significant risk to staff, other inmates, or the general public. Inmates in this unit are typically housed in single cells and have limited movement outside of their cells. They are subject to strict rules and regulations and are monitored closely by staff.
Minimum-Security Unit
In contrast to the maximum-security unit, the minimum-security unit at Stateville Correctional Center is designed to house inmates who pose a lower risk to staff, other inmates, or the general public. Inmates in this unit are typically housed in dormitory-style housing units and have more freedom of movement than inmates in the maximum-security unit.
Protective Custody
Protective custody is a custody level designed to protect inmates who may be at risk of harm from other inmates. Inmates in protective custody are typically housed separately from the general population and may have limited contact with other inmates. The protective custody unit at Stateville Correctional Center is designed to provide a safe environment for inmates who may be at risk of harm from other inmates.
Segregation
Segregation is a custody level used to separate inmates who have violated institutional rules or who pose a threat to the safety and security of the institution. Inmates in segregation are typically housed in single cells and have limited contact with other inmates. The segregation unit at Stateville Correctional Center is designed to provide a secure environment for inmates who have violated institutional rules.
Temporary Writ Inmates
Temporary writ inmates are inmates who are temporarily housed at Stateville Correctional Center while awaiting trial or transfer to another facility. These inmates are typically housed separately from the general population and may have limited contact with other inmates. The temporary writ unit at Stateville Correctional Center is designed to provide a safe and secure environment for inmates who are awaiting trial or transfer.
In conclusion, Stateville Correctional Center employs a classification system that places inmates in specific custody levels based on their behavior within the department. The custody level determines the housing unit, job assignment, and program opportunities available to the inmate. Each custody level is designed to provide a safe and secure environment for inmates while maintaining the safety and security of the institution.
Death Penalty
Stateville Correctional Center is known for being one of the facilities in Illinois where the death penalty is carried out. The use of the death penalty has been a controversial topic in the United States for decades and has been the subject of much debate and discussion.
Executions
Since the reinstatement of the death penalty in Illinois in 1977, there have been 12 executions carried out at Stateville Correctional Center. The most infamous of these executions was that of John Wayne Gacy, a notorious serial killer who was convicted of killing 33 young men and boys in the Chicago area.
Gacy was executed by lethal injection at Stateville on May 10, 1994. His execution was widely covered by the media and was the subject of a number of TV shows and documentaries, including MSNBC Investigates Lockup and Natural Born Killers.
Other notable executions at Stateville include those of Jordan Hill, who was convicted of the Chicago Torture Incident in 2007, and Richard Speck, who was convicted of the murder of eight nurses in 1966.
The death penalty is still legal in Illinois but has been on hold since 2011 when Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill abolishing it. However, the state’s current governor, J.B. Pritzker, has expressed support for reinstating the death penalty in certain cases.
Stateville Correctional Center is a maximum security prison and is known for its strict rules and regulations. Inmates who are sentenced to death are typically housed in F-House, a separate unit within the prison that is designed specifically for death row inmates.
The methods of execution used at Stateville have changed over the years. Prior to 1990, electrocution was the primary method of execution. Since then, lethal injection has been the preferred method, although inmates who were sentenced to death prior to 1990 may still choose to be executed by electrocution.
In addition to Stateville, Illinois has two other maximum security prisons that house death row inmates: Menard Correctional Center and Tamms Correctional Center. However, since the death penalty has been on hold in Illinois, these facilities have not been used for executions.